Woodwind II unable to be salvaged
The Woodwind II on Jan. 8 was being cut into pieces before being hauled to a landfill. Photo/Kathryn Reed
By Kathryn Reed
CAVE ROCK – Loud crunching sounds could be heard as a 50,000-pound excavator destroyed the Woodwind II. Grown men were somber witnessing the destruction of what was once a beautiful vessel that graced the waters of Lake Tahoe.
The catamaran broke from its mooring Dec. 11 during the windstorm at Lake Tahoe and became stuck on rocks near Zephyr Cove. While this is always a rocky area, it’s even shallower with the lake level being so low.
That Zephyr Cove mooring field a few years ago switched from the typical concrete block type anchors to screw auger type anchors. The new ones are not as secure, according to boat owners.
It was expected to take several hours Jan. 8 to breakdown the entire 55-foot-vessel.
Much of the damage was to the starboard side. Punctures in the hull and pontoon damage were extensive.
“The crane is utilized to pull some of the components out,” Dan Rikalo with Connolly Crane Service told Lake Tahoe News.
All the pieces will be taken to the Carson City Landfill.
Diesel from the vessel was taken off a while ago to prevent any spillage into Lake Tahoe.
It was towed to Cave Rock boat ramp on Jan. 7, then hauled out of the water with a large tow truck by its rudders.
Kevin McMullen of Keefe Kaplan Maritime in Richmond was at the dock Thursday morning to get the mast.
“We will cut it up. The insurance company wants it cut up. I hope they save it. It’s a beautiful mast,” McMullen told Lake Tahoe News.
Steve Dunham, who operates Tahoe Cruises, could not be reached for comment. He is down to one boat – the Safari Rose. She is currently at the Tahoe City Marina. The original Woodwind, which was a trimaran, also met its demise when it washed ashore. An operating permit for a tour boat at Lake Tahoe is a coveted item, so it’s possible there could be a Woodwind III.
that is just sad….. :(
Wow. I was on the short list to crew the delivery when they considered sailing it down from Washington. My wife and I were first on the boat on the hard at Tahoe Keys when they were joining the sections. And, we went on it’s very first cruise out of Zephyr Cove the day they sailed it from the keys. Very shocked.
I watched the video of the Woodwind being torn up.
Very sad! If you’re an old Tahoe boater you never want to see any boat destroyed and hauled to the landfill.
A sad ending for a beautiful boat. OLS
Insurance scam
A very sad thing to see . I worked at the TKM when she was shipped here and assisted with the re joining of the two hull sections together.
Also hauled her out at the boat ramp for one of her subsequent USCG inspections.
A very stout and well built vessel.
Too bad she couldn’t have been taken out of commercial service and repaired and used as a private yacht.
Condolences to Steve Dunham on your loss.
Yeah,
In speaking with some observers-Was it irreparable, or did the owners just want an insurance check and be done?
Parker that is not the owners decision. It is the insurance companies decision.
It is? You know that? I’ve negotiated with insurance companies before. Not on something anywhere this valuable, but I’ve negotiated with them. In fact I have an attorney brother-in-law who specializes in such things.
The insurance company is not going to authorize something to be broken until they have determined that it is a total loss, it is the responsibility of the owner to secure the property until the adjuster can inspect it. If this is not done the insurance company can deny the claim(unless securing it is very difficult or impossible). Hopefully tyey were insured for agreed value or replacement cost not ACV.
‘ I’ve negotiated with insurance companies before’
The operative word in this sentence is ‘negotiated’. Which devalues your previous comment.
I hope they don’t cut up the mast – save it and install it at a waterfront area, yacht club, marina, or some place where it will add a boating ambiance. An agreement with the insurance company to not use it on another vessell should work…. better than going to the land fill if it can be recycled!
Since I don’t know the owners that well or have all the facts, I will just say I hope we get a replacement it is always a nice adventure to see Tahoe from the water. What a bummer.
I saw the boat on the local news TV stations last night as it was being demolished. How could that be? The Tahoe “daily” Tribune had it as front page news this morning and it was in one piece being pulled from the lake? Breaking news for sure!
Ahh Yes Cosa,
Your obsession with me. Fact, I have negotiated with them before, which doesn’t devalue anything I’ve previously stated.
We are sorry to hear of this loss and treasure the memories we have of exchanging vows on the deck among family and friends in 2002. It would be nice to see Woodwind III take to the waves of Tahoe. Bob and Paige Kingman.
Bob Kingman, you are REALLY missed around here. All the best.
it’s hard to believe all this stuff goes to a landfill rather than recycled? and what would an insurance company care what is done with the mast? If a car is totalled by an insurance company, its not like you have to cut it into unusable or on repurposed pieces – are there some bizarre policies associated with boats?
Irish,
Stick the mast on the now vacant lot on hwy 50 that the CTC paid millions for, our tax dollars, and put a sail on it that rotates with the wind.
Thanks for so many years of great fun and good times. There was always something very special about being on board and cruising on Lake Tahoe. So many memories over all the years. So Sorry. Condolences to the owners.
The memories I have of working for Dave Marion back in the 70’s on the original Woodwind are some of my most fondest. Steve Dunham is a great guy that I wish all the best for as he determines what the future holds for the iconic Tahoe name “Woodwind”.
Parker: words are hard, no worries.